In addition to the substantial wealth he has amassed since the beginning of the year, Nicky Oppenheimer, a leading South African billionaire businessman and conservationist, presently standing as the second-richest man in the rainbow nation, has witnessed an extraordinary surge in wealth, totaling over half a billion dollars in the past 15 days.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the fortunes of the world’s 500 wealthiest individuals, Oppenheimer, ranked as Africa’s third-richest man, has seen his net worth surge by $520 million over the past 15 days, further solidifying his position on the continent’s richest list.
The surge in Oppenheimer’s fortune has elevated his net worth from $8.48 billion on Oct. 31 to $9 billion at the time of drafting this report. This surge propels his year-to-date wealth gains to an impressive $975 million, bringing him close to the coveted $1 billion mark for the year.
Oppenheimer’s $520-million surge and enduring legacy in business
The recent $520-million surge in Oppenheimer’s wealth translating to a daily gain of $34.67 million can be attributed to a substantial boost in the valuation of his diverse investments, managed primarily through his ventures, Stockdale Street in London and Tana Africa Capital in Johannesburg.
With a staggering fortune of $9 billion, Oppenheimer claims the 245th spot on the global list of the wealthiest individuals. In South Africa, he stands as the second-richest man, trailing only Johann Rupert. On the broader African stage, he maintains a commanding presence as the third-richest individual on the continent.
Oppenheimer‘s success as a businessman is largely credited to his influential role in the diamond industry, particularly the sale of his family’s 40-percent stake in De Beers to the mining conglomerate Anglo-American for a staggering $5.2 billion in 2012.
The conservation legacy of Oppenheimer, from Tswalu Kalahari to Shangani Ranch
Beyond his illustrious business ventures, Oppenheimer is celebrated for his dedication to wilderness conservation. Alongside his son, Jonathan, he co-owns Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, which serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and plays a pivotal role in preserving the region’s natural biodiversity.
Additionally, Oppenheimer owns the 65,000-hectare Shangani Ranch, a crucial migration route for animals that contributes significantly to the local economy by employing 400 individuals and facilitating beef exports to the United Kingdom.
